What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Pattaya? Is it the excellent food, the warm beaches, or the view? Or is it an image of an endless row of bars and clubs, a no-holds-barred red light district that draws those who crave the carnal pleasures of a woman or a ladyboy?
A cursory stroll in nighttime Pattaya may indeed provide credence to the reputation it has gained. The Lonely Planet called the city a “heavy-breathing and testosterone-fueled testament to holiday hedonism,” and going around Beach Road and Walking Street, I could see very well how Pattaya became known as the Sin City of Thailand.
With a farang in Walking Street.
Prior to coming to Pattaya, I had spent some time in the border town of Sangkhlaburi, a quintessential small town full of friendly people, empty streets, and great views of nature. It’s a place where you can envision raising your family the old-fashioned way.
Pattaya, on the other hand, has a completely different ambience. Tourists—especially of the male and retirees kind—are all over the city, with nubile Thai women in skimpy and tight skirts in tow.
Waiting for customers along Beach Road.
A British colleague thinks that foreign men who choose to live or retire in Pattaya are only after one thing, and although I’m not entirely convinced.
Pattaya may have a hidden charm that has nothing to do with carnality—I have met someone who has made his home in Pattaya, and I’m inclined to agree.
Legs on display in Walking Street.
What’s interesting about the women and ladyboys who loiter in Beach Road at night is the number of mature ones who are still confident enough to display their wares beside other women half their age.
We’ve also seen quite a few of them in company of farangs, walking the streets of Pattaya in their 5-inch heels and tight skirts that barely cover their bums.
Happy and hoping along Beach Road.
Is Pattaya only about sex for sale? Fortunately, no. According to an article in USAToday, Pattaya did become known as Thailand’s biggest sex tourist destination because of its history as a recreation stop for US soldiers in the Vietnam War.
Its proximity to Bangkok (just a few hours away) plus its beaches has made it very attractive to foreigners who can only stay a short time in Thailand.
Another farang with his girlfriend for the night in Beach Road.
However, the same article reports that the city has been trying to change its image, and while it’s not there yet, it is indeed possible to see Pattaya as a place that non-sex tourists would want to visit.
Sure, visibility is not good for diving, but there are nearby islands for snorkeling, the view of the crescent-shaped bay is great, there’s an elephant farm for the kids and even a man-made floating market that’s good to walk around in.
If you want to bring your family to Pattaya, it is best to avoid Walking Street and Beach Road, especially at night. There are luxury resorts and family-oriented hotels that can fully cater to your and your children’s needs.
If nothing else, at least you can avoid the children’s awkward questions about the interesting people that they can see along these roads in nighttime Pattaya!
How to go to Pattaya: Pattaya is around 2-3 hours from Bangkok. There are hourly buses (fare: ~THB 120) going there from both the Mon Chit and Ekkamai terminal. It’s also possible to take a private taxi, and the cost can vary from THB900-2000, depending on your haggling power.
Aleah Taboclaon is a location independent writer, editor, and the travel blogger behind Solitary Wanderer. She's partial to slow travel, and prefers extreme adventures like hiking and caving over sightseeing. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Follow her on Instagram and Pinterest!
Latest posts by Aleah Taboclaon (see all)
- The Tale of Tonyo the Brave - June 14, 2022
- Things To Do in São Paulo, Brazil: Visit the Consolação Cemetery - October 31, 2021
- Solo Travel Tips: Brussels, Belgium - February 17, 2021
28 Comments. Leave new
@ May! Would love to meet you in SG! Will send you an email later.
@aleah just drop me message im living SG i am glad to be your tourist guide if you like 🙂
@ May: Thanks for dropping by! Unfortunately, most men just want “girlfriend experiences” and not true love 😀 Never been to SG but I’ll be there in October. Maybe I can take some photos in Orchard Tower too!
I also like the legs shot! Actually di lang sa pattaya madaming ganyan aleah dito sa SG may lugar and mga Thai girl they called it orchard tower. Some of my caucasian friends went there too.. according to them some are old man they want to enjoy and having “girlfriend experiences”. But the others are finding a true love and end up of marrying asian.
@ Ed: Thanks. I secretly took a number of photos but these are the only usable ones. I have yet to learn how to take street photographs well.:D
awesome way of taking photos for this article aleah! sayang magpeople watching dito, how people act in the dark. hehe
@ Ding: Thanks. I *had* to be discreet, otherwise I ran the risk of being charged 100baht for one picture!
@ Ed: I didn’t have the courage (nor the stomach) to see those shows. Glad to know you think the same 🙂
@ Bob: You would think parents would be sensible eh? Given the number of young children I saw in Walking Street, though, I guess not.
Very interesting article and very good advice to keep family vacations away from there. Love the pictures!
I too observed a masculine curve on the legs on display he he. When I was in Thailand, my male study tour colleagues convinced me to go with them to that place where ping pong balls find its worth other than in table tennis but I beg off for some other reasons.As they related to me their experience, I told them that I was amused with the saltwater wrestling more than what they had witnessed.
I like how you presented the story with your discreet photos.
Grace, you’d be surprised at how many kids you see on Walking Street. I saw quite a few toddlers, at least 3 pre-teens, and a number of elementary-aged ones sitting by the tables in bars alongside their parents. Talk about inappropriate eh?
Aleah, I like the leg shots hehehe. It’s sad to think of a place being associated primarily with the sex trade. I know most folks enjoy the entertaining sight of the lady boys but honestly I hope no one brings their kids out for a night time stroll here.
@ Ian: You got that right. I always have to double check if the she is a he or the real thing 😀
@ Karen: Wish I had the choice. I’d have wanted to go to Phi phi Island to dive!
We were supposed to go there when we went to Thailand in 2009 but having read what Pattaya is known for, we opted to head to Koh Samet (island 3 hrs from Bangkok too!) We’re happy we’ve made that choice 7:)
hmmmm……. mainit init na larawan…. di ka lang nga syure kung He, She or It yung legs na yun…. hehehehehe
@ Claire: Yup. Walking Street is like the equivalent of Fields Avenue 🙂 I went around with a colleague.
@ Renevic: Are you referring to Sangkhlaburi? I was there last week, but there’s no red light district there.
@ Ivan: It’s all shots of legs because everything we can’t really take pictures openly. The ladyboys told us we should pay them THB100 for every picture taken 😀
gulat naman ako sa pambungad na larawan.. haha
Whew hot morning read. Been to thailand once, in southern part, Songkhla, they have this kind of place too..
@ms.claire, are you referring to S*bic?
Parang meron din tayong version nito somewhere up north frequented by many (not all) retirees. Did you wander around solo?